Up, Up and Away - the digital health podcast
On Up, Up and Away we speak to thought-leaders and opinion formers in the world of digital health, be that clinicians, patients, young people or other tech innovators. We find out what things are making a real difference.
Our talented team specialise in creating digitally enabled self-management programmes to the NHS for young people. We've spent the past eight years or so developing the Digital Health Passport - an evidence-based mobile app, which improves skills, knowledge and confidence to manage long-term conditions like asthma, epilepsy and sickle cell disease.
Up, Up and Away - the digital health podcast
Victoria Betton founder PeopleDotCom - a digital health pioneer and advocate for change
In this episode of the "Up, Up and Away" podcast, Dom Burch interviews Victoria Betton, founder and director of PeopleDotCom Limited, a consultancy specialising in human-centered design, digital strategy, and adoption for social impact. With 25 years of experience in charities, social work, the NHS, local government, and industry, Victoria shares insights from her journey into digital health and her passion for user-centered design.
Key discussion points include:
Victoria’s Career Path: Victoria traces her unconventional route from studying English literature to founding her consultancy, highlighting her pivotal roles in the NHS and her creation of MHabitat, a consultancy within the NHS focusing on digital health innovation.
Children’s Digital Health Accelerator: Victoria talks about The KidsUp health accelerator with Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where she is helping startups navigate the NHS system to create impactful digital health solutions.
Challenges in Healthcare Innovation: The conversation delves into the complexities of introducing tech in healthcare, emphasising user-centered design to solve real-world problems, the importance of addressing health inequalities, and the hurdles small companies face in scaling innovations within the NHS.
Equity Charter Campaign: Victoria discusses her involvement in a campaign promoting equity in digital health, advocating for inclusive design and addressing digital poverty in underserved communities.
Future of Digital Health: Finally, Dom and Victoria explore the prospects of regional collaboration in healthcare, foundational digitisation efforts, and the need for sustainable and accessible innovation.
A qualified social worker and coach, Victoria holds master's degrees in Women's Studies and Social Work, and a Diploma in Public Sector Relations. Her doctoral research focused on mental health and online social networks. She is also an author and public speaker, with her latest book titled "Towards a Digital Health Ecology – NHS Digital Adoption through the COVID-19 Looking Glass."
Victoria is actively involved in various professional roles, including serving as a member of the techUK Health and Care Council, co-chairing the techUK/NHSD/NHSX User-centred Design Group, and mentoring for the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme and NHS Digital Academy.
